Managing the Nitrogen Cascade: Analysis of the International Management of Reactive Nitrogen

摘要: Reactive nitrogen (Nr) plays a role in numerous environmental and human health concerns, including climate change, eutrophication, acid rain, respiratory illness cancer. While produced naturally, increased creation of Nr, primarily through the nitrogenous fertilizer, is fueling growing problem today’s world. It anticipated that by 2050, humans will produce as much eight times current level reactive nitrogen, further exacerbating these concerns. An issue complicates Nr management nature environment. capable cycling many different forms compounds (NH3, NOx, N2O, etc.) before returning to more stable state N2. This property, labeled “nitrogen cascade” means pollution must occur simultaneously on multiple pollutants media (atmospheric, aquatic, terrestrial). also an international effort needed combat pollution. To date, policies have been relatively ineffective combating pollution, suffering from three main limitations: (1) geographic exclusion developing countries, where it greatest growth occur, (2) lack enforceability, (3) multi-pollutant, multi-medium approach accounts for cascade. Considering limitations, this analysis recommends community develop new global framework convention nitrogen. should use regional bodies its action units, require national emissions inventories, methods sharing scientific information best practices, establish targets reduction However, there uniqueness cannot be understated; essential world’s food supply, causing very delicate balancing act between meeting needs mitigating damage natural